Improvement in bee-hives



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No. 118,520. Patented ug. 2,9, 1871'.

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Umano *raras EUGENE W.- DIEFENDORF,

OF MONITEAU, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN BEE-HIVES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,520, dated August 29, 1871.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE W. DIEFENDORF, of Mon iteau, in the county of Moniteau and State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and Improved Bee-Hive, of which the following is a speciiication:

The nature of this invention relates to the peculiar con struction and arrangement ofthe combrames, and in the relation of the comb-frames to the outside case; also, in the combination of a peculiar post with the frames and case, whereby the frames are kept together when the case is removed, and also serving to keep the frames and ease at an equal distance on all sides.

In the drawing, Figure l is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vert-ical section. Fig. 3 is an end view of the hive, with the end of the case and end board which rests against the end of the frames removed. Fig. 4 is a detached view of the post.

A in the several iigures is the base-board of the hive, on which sit the frames and the outside case. B B are the comb-frames. C is the outside case. This and the frames are made triangular; base and sides are equal. D is an end board which rests against the frames and is held upright by a post, d, which sits in a mortise in the base or bottom A. The frames, which are about one and one-half inch wide, lie close together, and, with the end boards D D, the posts d, and bottom board A, form a complete hive in themselves, they are, however, covered by an outside case, C. The frames B are divided in two at b, the upper part being the receptacles for the surplus honey. The frames thus constructed make, apparently, one continuous frame, bringing the two compartments much closer together, and keep them in a more even tempera ture. The cross-bars. dividing the two parts of the frames are cut away or made narrower than the side pieces nearly their whole length, which gives space for the bees to pass up. The lower ends ofthe frames B have a space, c, out in one side for an entrance to the interior. The posts d consist of a block having an upright arm which stands up against the end boards D to keep them in position, the upright arm also serving to keep the case E at an equal distance from the frames. The case C is a plain box without a bottom, which sits over the frames and standing on the bottom board A; and in the lower edge, on the side with the openings o in the frames B, is a slot, e, which is the entrance to the hive. A square notch cut in the lower sides of the ends fits over the postblock d. The top of the case C has a narrow opening covered by a strip, j', secured by` two screws, which may be raised a short distance to provide ventilation.

The advantage of this mode of construction is that the frames stand on the bottom independent of the case, enabling the case to' be readily removed without danger of injuring the bees or honey-comb. The posts may then be set in the outer holes in the bottom board, and the frames separated and tilted against the posts, so that a frame may be removed and another inserted, if required, in any convenient manner, or for eX- amining the interior of the hive.

In the winter season the space between the case and frames can be filled by laying papers or other suitable material over the frames under the case, so as to prevent freezing.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- The combination of the post d with the frames B B and case C, as described, and for the purpose set forth.

EUGENE W; DIEFENDORF.

Witnesses:

WYMAN SPIGER, MARY M. SPICER. 

